Thisas and Ayla tame tables at Mahipala Herath TT tourney

Thisas Ranchagoda of Royal College and Ayla Chitty of Ladies’ College Colombo manufactured solid performances to grab the Under 10 boys’ and girls’ championship titles in the Chief Minister Mahipala Herath Challenge Tropy All Island Junior Ranking Table Tennis Tournament, held from 27th September 27 to 29 at the Sabaragamuwa indoor stadium, Rathnapura. Both the titles were reclaimed by the colombo schools after a long lapse. Thisas beat Chanul Dulsen of Darmasoka Collge, Ambalangoda 04/ 11, 11/ 9 , 11/ 6, 12/ 10. In the fourth set Thisas came long way from 5/ 10 to beat Chanul in a thrilling finish with one set to spare, while Ayla beat Vinuji Perera of Maliyadeva girls Collge, Kurunegala 6/ 11 ,11/ 7,11/ 6,9/ 11,11/ 8. Both of them grabbed the championship by beating the favourites and received hounours for the first time.

Thisas is a Grade 5 student at Royal College, Colombo and Wajira Wickramasinghe is his head coach while Rusiru Tharanga serves as his assistant coach.

Ayla also from the same grade at Ladies’College is being coached by Samith Prasad.They both train at the I & D table tennis academy under the guidence of current national player Mr. Indika Prasad and nine times national champion Mrs. Deepika Rodrigo.